Minor League Preview - Double-A Tennessee Smokies and Triple-A Iowa Cubs
Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! This is the last of a three part installment previewing the 2012 minor league season.
With players from the defending Florida State Champion Daytona Cubs and Southern League runner-up Tennessee Smokies, the top two squads in the Cubs' system look to compete for championships this season.
Here's how the Tennessee Smokies and Iowa Cubs look for 2012. … [Read more...]

Now that Gerardo Concepcion is signed, sealed and delivered, could Jorge Soler be next in line for a contract from the Cubs?
Jorge Soler is still on the Cubs' radar and the now 20-year old outfielder (February 25) is still an important piece to the Cubs' puzzle, that is once he can negotiate and sign with a team. According to a report from WEEI (Boston), the Red Sox are also interested but like most of the baseball industry, the Sox expect that the Cubs are likely to win the bidding war for … [Read more...]

Spring Training Game Five: Cubs (2-2) vs. Mariners (5-1)
Game Time - 2:05pm CST
Coverage - TV: None - Radio: Cubs.com
Location - HoHoKam Park, Mesa
Chris Volstad (0-0, -.--/-.--) vs. Kevin Millwood (0-0, -.--/-.--)
The Cubs return to their spring home to host the Seattle Mariners this afternoon.
Chris Volstad will throw his first pitch in a Cubs' uniform after the Cubs acquired him from the Marlins in January for Carlos Zambrano and $15.345 million. Volstad is competing for a spot in the … [Read more...]

Spring Training Game Four: Cubs (1-2) vs. Royals (3-1)
Game Time - 2:05pm CST
Coverage - TV: None - Radio: 720 WGN
Location - Surprise Stadium, Surprise
Jeff Samardzija (0-0, -.--/-.--) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (0-0, -.--/-.--)
Dale Sveum and the Cubs will play their first game of the spring today outside of the Mesa city limits. After two intrasquad games, two against the Oakland A's and one against the Rockies at HoHoKam Park, the Cubs will hit the 'road' for the first time this afternoon.
The … [Read more...]

The Cubs first intrasquad game took place Friday afternoon at HoHoKam Park ... and Rick Sutcliffe's Blue Team beat Dale Sveum's White Team 10-4.
Matt Szczur stole the show. The speedy outfielder drove in six of his team's ten runs with the big blast of the day. Szczur hit a grand slam off Travis Wood a couple of innings after showing off his speed. Szczur tagged and scored from second base on a wind-blown sac fly to right off the bat of Reed Johnson. David DeJesusreportedly caught the ball … [Read more...]

So, its Friday, Kerry Wood tried to take out our best offensive player, bunting is cool again, Jeff Samardzija loves the camera, the squad has moved on down the road to HoHoKam, and Maholm was leveled by the flu in the desert. Interesting times at Cubs camp.
So, let's get to some rambling and enjoyable conversations for a Friday. … [Read more...]

Thursday is the Cubs final day of the spring at Fitch Park. After Thursday's workout, the big league team moves down the street to HoHoKam Park and the minor league players take over Fitch Park.
The Cubs announced the pitching match-ups for the Intrasquad games on Friday and Saturday. Both five to six inning contests begin at 1:00pm MT (local time) and are open to the public. Randy Wells and Travis Wood will square off on Friday with Jay Jackson and Chris Rusin starting Saturday's game ... … [Read more...]

The Cubs were back at work Tuesday in one of their final days of the spring at Fitch Park. After Thursday's workout, the Cubs move down Center Street to HoHoKam Park.
The Cubs announced Tuesday they added two intrasquad games to their 35-game exhibition schedule. The Cubs will square off against the Cubs on Friday and Saturday at HoHoKam Park. The five to six-inning contests begin at 1:00pm local time (2:00pm CST) and are open to the public. Gates open at 11:00am with limited seating.
Dale … [Read more...]